Help support Tina for her upcoming surgery!

Our dear friend, Tina Tang Pollardy, has an urgent need for an upcoming neck surgery that will allow her to continue to walk and not have to transition to life in a wheelchair.

Since the beginning of the year, Tina has been losing her ability to walk. Per doctors’ orders, she must use a walker at all times. Another fall could be disastrous.

Tina has Lupus, Fibromyalgia, Osteoporosis, and two autoimmune disorders - Raynaud's syndrome and Sjogren's syndrome and has been unable to work for quite a while. They do have insurance, but as you know, it doesn't cover everything, and not travel or expenses associated with travel. Her insurance company is saying they may only cover half of the surgery. Her surgeon at Mayo Clinic will advocate on her behalf with them. She was fortunate to be accepted to Mayo Clinic and recently spent about 10 days in Rochester, MN, having all sorts of tests and procedures done. She already has thousands in medical bills. First and foremost is having this surgery to allow her to continue to have the ability to walk. Tina needs ~ and deserves ~ the absolute best possible care she can get. She is currently taking medication to strengthen her bones for the surgery, which is scheduled for January 27th. Her neck degeneration is a combination of the steroids that they've had to give her for Lupus, her osteoporosis, and genetic predisposition of 2 problems in the upper spine.

For this surgery, she and her mother will drive back to Minnesota (Tina is medically advised not to fly) one week prior to surgery and will have to stay at least three weeks post-surgery. The hotel alone will be around $6000, not to mention travel expenses and insurance copay. Once she recovers from this surgery, they will focus on other issues related to her Lupus, etc.

Tina and I and so many classmates have been lifelong friends. Everyone who knows her, loves her. She would do anything she could for someone in need. Let's do something for her and help take this financial burden off her plate and let her focus on healing! This is a group effort between myself, Jami and Dan (Zan), and Larry (Buddha), and we thank you for your consideration in helping our dear friend Tina.

All donations will go directly toward medical and travel expenses. I, along with Buddha, will manage the disbursement of funds as Tina gets the bills. Please, if you're able, donate via this GoFundMe or by mailing to the bank. Thank you!